“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.” vs10-11

God promises torment to all who do not trust Christ in sincerity. He does not bluff, bartar, or bargain: He proclaims it as it is, and we are wise to hearken.

First, believe Christ and not yourself. You have all sufficiency in Him: He is the Son of God who died for sins. He is the One the Father raised. He is Lord and Savior. He is the One the Father honors, by whom we obtain mercy. He is why God forgives and gives strength. His blood provides the cleansing, and His Spirit gives new and everlasting life! Rely on Him and not yourself! Do not trust your wisdom and strength.

Secondly, you don’t have wisdom and strength! We are sinners with even one sin being enough to send us to hell. James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

All who mock Him are fools to say that God is wrong and untrustworthy. The wisdom of man is foolishness: he cannot redeem himself. The strength of man is nothing: he can’t overcome Satan! These are all delusions of the devil to KEEP YOU BACK from something greater. 2 Cor 4:4, “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ , who is the image of God, should shine on them.” He doesn’t want us trusting Christ and experiencing freedom. He wants us to walk in false light and to kindle our own sparks: He wants us in unbelief.

Thirdly, the Lord will be faithful to you. Why not believe Him? Why not trust the mighty God and the Savior [2 Pet 1:1]? He has all power and good intentions. He can’t give the Son and be cruel. Rom 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all [all the predestined vs30], how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” He will give pleasure in holiness. He will reward all who diligently seek Him. His provision, even if it is only grace to die, will prove to be enough [Phil 4:19].

He raised Christ from the dead and proved Himself trustworthy to the Son. Won’t you trust Him for sufficient grace and pleasure? Won’t you believe that His Spirit is good? Can He be a cruel Savior? No! We can trust Him safely. He won’t let us down, drop us, or fumble. He will never fail to fulfill one promise. Only trust Him: He is trustworthy.

Fourthly, the torment of unbelievers is eventually grievous; it is eternal hell, and it must be avoided. We must escape the wrath to come! We cannot challenge God with impunity! Men laugh now, but they will cry later, forever, and there’ll be no escape from that horrible suffering! God will punish their sins everlastingly, because they did not believe His Son in time. Like in the days of Noah, the Flood of Wrath will take them away. Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they thought he joked! Do not challenge God’s warning. Do not turn the shoulder of indifference!

Fifthly, those who escape the curse will get the blessing: Heaven will be your reward! Vs10, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” We who walk in darkness but trust the Lord shall be rewarded with endless Paradise. We confess our sins, trust the Lord, and walk in His great provision - righteousness, wisdom, and strength. We get pleasure now and power over sins. We enjoy God in communion and have the benefit of doing good, even a clean conscience with hope. We have no fear of death, because the sting is gone. Yet, the day is coming, when we shall enjoy heaven fully. We’ll ever be with the Lord, and faith will give way to sight. We will be happy, because the reward is worthy of God’s greatness as a giver [Eph 2:7]!